Figure 1.--Here we see King Michael about 1930, the time his father returned to Romania and reclaimed the crown. The caption for this press photo raid, "This photo of King Michael of Rumania was made during his short reign as the boy king before he wa ousted from the throne by his father, King Carol. Today Michael was king again as the result of the forced abdication of Carol. This time he rules by the grace of Premier Genneral Dictator Ion Antonescu." The photograph was rereleased September 6, 1940. Source: Internatiol News Photos

Michael was a child king, only 6 years old when he followed his grandfather, King Ferdinand, to the throne in 1927. His uncle, Prince Nicholas, was "senior regent". "I remember very little from those years," King Michael recalls. "There are mostly just 'images'. I can remember that my mother was there." (Princess Helen was divorced from King Michael's father, Prince Carol, in 1928). with a Royal Court. Another big mistake was to continue as a king his adolescent passion for a women--Elena Lupescu--instead of forgetting her once he stepped on the throne. He had abdicated in favor of his son Michael. Of course the boy-king at this young age had nothing to do with actual government.

Created: 7:22 AM 2/19/2009
Last updated: 7:22 AM 2/19/2009